Is a trip to Florida really complete without visiting Walt Disney World? It doesn’t matter how old you are; everybody wants to be part of the magic – but that charm can also be part of the frustration with visiting.

Overcrowding, long lines and expensive prices might seem unavoidable, but there are ways to tackle the busy season, cut down the queues and save a bit of cash here and there.

Today, we’re going to let you in on a secret and reveal some of our top Walt Disney World tips!

Visit off-season

If you’re flexible with dates, why not avoid peak season? As well as being more expensive, the parks are often more crowded which leads to longer wait times for rides and food. You’re guaranteed to benefit from better deals when the park is quieter too – Disney need to fill those rides after all!

For families visiting with children, the second half of August seems to be the best time to book a trip as June to mid-August are extremely busy due to the summer holidays. September through to December is fairly quiet too, with the exception of Halloween, Thanksgiving and any time around Christmas and New Year.

If your dream is to stay in a Disney hotel, off-season is definitely the time to visit! Considerable discounts are often offered and, as an extra bonus, many freebies come with staying there including extra hours in the park and complimentary travel.

Enjoy freebies

Everyone loves a freebie, and you can enhance your trip to Disney by taking advantage of them!

Free water
There’s no need to buy bottled water.Â If you visit any of the kiosks around the park a member of staff will be happy to provide you with an ice water, free of charge.

Rider Switch
Rider Switch offers the perfect solution for larger families when a child is unable or does not wish to go on a ride. With a Rider Switch ticket, one adult can join the line with the riders while the other supervises the non-riders.

After the ride is over, the Rider Switch ticket enables the other adult to board the ride straight away without having to join the regular line, cutting time down significantly. The best part? It’s completely free.

FastPass+
Fast Passes allow you to skip the long queues and join a shorter one, speeding up your wait time. Many theme parks charge for this, but Disney offers it to visitors for free.

Plan in advance

A little bit of organisation can make so much difference, and there are a few things you should do before boarding the plane!

Schedule your FastPass+
If you purchase your ticket online, you can redeem your fast passes up to 30 days in advance of your visit. For those staying in a Disney hotel, you can start booking your passes 60 days before. To do this, go online or use the My Disney Experience app.

For every day you visit the park, you get three passes – although you can get more on the day. It’s perfect to ensure you don’t miss any of the rides you’re most eager to visit!

Costumes

We know the kids love to dress as their favourite Disney characters, but don’t wait until you’re in the park to buy them a costume. Buy them their Snow White or Mickey Mouse costume before you get there, it’ll save you a lot of money!

Go Digital

The My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World Resort is a really handy tool for any visitor. It enables you to check wait times for attractions so you can avoid the busiest rides and shows, as well as providing an interactive map with GPS so you know exactly where you are at all times! You can even make dining reservations on the app, and edit your fast passes.

A trip to Walt Disney World is something you will treasure forever, and we want you to get the most out of your visit. With so much going on, it can be a little bit confusing, but with our tips and tricks you’ll be meeting Minnie and Mickey and riding Space Mountain in no time!